PSG Coach Luis Enrique Praises Team's Mental Strength

PSG Coach, Luis Enrique

Luis Enrique hails PSG's mental strength after 3-2 comeback win at Monaco in Champions League.

“I'm happy for him because this past week, everyone criticised and tore Doue apart...”

PSG coach Luis Enrique is singing praises for his team's mental strength after they came from two goals down to beat Monaco 3-2 in the Champions League. The team was trailing 2-0 after just 18 minutes, with Folarin Balogun scoring twice for the hosts, but they managed to turn it around.

Desire Doue was the hero of the night, scoring twice and setting up Achraf Hakimi for the winner. Luis Enrique praised Doue's performance, saying he showed “personality and character” after being criticized earlier this week. Ousmane Dembele, who was injured early in the game, will undergo further assessment.

The return leg is next Wednesday at the Parc des Princes, and Enrique warned that it'll be a tough match.

PSG's fortunes changed after Desire Doue replaced injured Ousmane Dembele, and they went on to secure a 1-0 win over Real Madrid. Coach Luis Enrique praised his team's resilience: “Normally, when a team starts a match like that, the most likely outcome is a loss,” referring to PSG's slow start.

The win gives PSG a one-goal advantage for the return leg. 

It was catastrophic. It's impossible to start a match like that. The first two times they overcame our pressure and entered our half, they scored. They made some very good plays.

After that, it's ⁠difficult to have confidence, but we showed our mental strength. Plus, we missed a penalty, so it was a chance to regain confidence. In the last six times we've played here, this is ‌only the second time we've won, which shows how difficult it is.

Doue's been on form. The 20-year-old bounced back from a poor showing against Stade Rennais to score twice and assist Achraf Hakimi's goal, helping PSG beat Real Madrid 1-0. 

I'm happy for him because this past week, everyone criticised and tore Doue apart, but he was sensational, he showed his character. ‌He helped the team at the best possible time.

Ousmane Dembele's injury's being assessed - “He took a knock in the first 15 minutes, then he couldn't run,” according to Luis Enrique.

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The return leg's at the Parc des Princes next Wednesday, and Luis Enrique's warning: “Considering how the match started, I'm happy with the result. But the match in Paris will be difficult, it will be a different story.”